Wilderness access limited at Holden Village

Access to the Glacier Peak Wilderness through Holden Village off Lake Chelan will be limited this year by federally required cleanup of the Holden Mine.

Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest Service officials say recreationists must plan ahead this year for limited bus service to trailheads and no lodging .

Starting May 1, bus transportation operated by Holden Village between Lucerne (at Lake Chelan) and Holden, will operate only on Saturdays and Sundays in coordination with the Lady of the Lake boat schedule.

The Holden Mine, inactive for years, is along Railroad Creek Valley, with access to popular Glacier Peak Wilderness trail systems. Hart Lake/Lyman Lake Trail No. 1256 and the Pacific Crest Trail No. 2000 will remain open and accessible for through-hikers, but only on weekends.

A re-route has been constructed for hikers to use between the Holden Village bus drop-off area and the Hart Lake/Lyman Lake Trailhead around the clean-up operations.

Additionally, Holden Village will not be booking overnight reservations for hikers between May-Nov. 27 because of the heavy construction in and around the village.

The Forest Service campground, located less than a mile west of Holden Village at the entrance to the Glacier Peak Wilderness area, will remain open throughout the remediation.

Camping is not permitted on the leased grounds around Holden or on Holden Village private property.

Temporary trail closures have occurred in the Railroad Creek Valley over the last few years for safety. Hikers will not be able to go between Lucerne and Holden Village until the project is done.

Hikers must utilize the Holden Village bus transportation on Saturdays and Sundays to access the Hart Lake/Lyman Lake Trailhead and Lucerne.

The following trails and surrounding areas near Holden Village are closed until the project is complete: